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(12/07/12 3:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This week marked the end of an era as Alexander Wang took Nicolas Ghesquiere’s position as head designer for Balenciaga. This transition met Wang with harsh criticisms. The argument was Wang’s style was too modernly casual for the iconic house’s detailed style.Still, Karl Lagerfeld defended the young American designer. Lagerfeld explained Wang was the right choice because his background and methods will completely renovate the house Ghesquiere rebuilt.Lagerfeld has always lobbied for new designers because he believes in progress. He takes his craft seriously, yet finds it completely frivolous. He explains fashion as a world of paradoxes, belonging to future designers who can accept both halves.Fashion is the creative abuse of a physical need. People will always need clothes to cover their bodies. But the art is transforming ordinary objects into an extraordinary vision.You could survive eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day, but no one subjects themselves to that monotony — and that is the appeal of fashion.Fashion is a physical representation of the life cycle, and it allows pedestrian participation. It isn’t a painting that idly hangs on a wall. It can be worn and carried throughout your life. What makes a successful designer is the dynamic relationship they share with the world around them.A static state doesn’t make things timeless. It’s the way fashion is able to adapt that makes it a fluid art. It creates a snapshot of a moment, but it is always taking pictures. As the self-proclaimed heir to Mr. Lagerfeld, I’ve found the solution to Karl’s woes in the passion in my favorite young designer.Jackson Van Matre has the pure passion Lagerfeld requests. Unabashedly unashamed, he created himself within the confines of his rural Indiana home. It’s his chameleon spirit that allows him to create timely and timeless deigns. While the new talent is waiting for his show to start, I look to the future and see his success. His creative abuse of a basic need makes his work both essential and trivial, but astounding nonetheless. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(11/30/12 2:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As I spent most of my Thanksgiving break casually wandering through the great Windy City, the same Brad Pitt for Chanel No. 5 advertisement accosted my eyes. First of all, Pitt looks ragged.Between his greasy Billy Ray Cyrus-esque mullet and overgrown mountain-man beard, he is in no shape to be plastered across town.Who on earth thought he accurately represented the heritage of the perfume or even the Chanel brand?Perhaps I’m wrong, but I don’t remember any Chanel cameos in “Fight Club.”Actually, I don’t think Benjamin Button wore it at all, either. In the meantime, let’s just hope some graffiti artists cover his face with something a bit more aesthetically pleasing.In other news, I can’t ignore “Liz and Dick” happened. Not that there were high expectations for Lindsay Lohan’s portrayal of Elizabeth Taylor in the made-for-television movie, but the ill-fitting wigs as well as LiLo’s weird accent were just a little too unbelievable. At least Lady Gaga said the performance was beautiful. Also, everyone’s favorite Duchess of Cambridge decided to chop off her locks in favor of bangs. While many people could argue Kate Middleton is a timeless beauty, all the pictures of her new ’do maker her look like Cousin It. Let’s just blame it on an unfortunately forward hairline. And lastly, why are we still letting Yoko Ono do things? She broke up The Beatles, and now she gets to team up with Opening Ceremony to create her own clothing line. If it’s any consolation, I’m equally confused. Apparently, ruining music and burning bridges is proof enough of design ability. If you actually look at the menswear collection, it’s safe to say Ono is trying to ruin fashion, too. Ono has created chest plaques with flashlight nipples, a pants line with a hand painted over the crotch region, and some cheap hoodies with abstract butts printed on the chests. I support creativity and innovation. I really do. I just don’t think this is it, and all of its press coverage is a waste of time. Can’t we just let it be? — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(11/16/12 4:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>My week started off wonderfully with an email from ASOS, featuring the handpicked fashions of hip-hop’s hottest female vocalist, Azealia Banks. Think Spice Girls meets Jay-Z at a jewelry store. Let me tell you, the 1990s are back.This is one time when I’m glad men’s fashion is trailing seasons behind women’s fashion. I don’t know how much Backstreet Boys-inspired mesh or Gothic wide-leg, chain pants I can handle.Especially this close to finals.But for women, this means lots of velvet, slim crop-tops and the weird fabric that changes color when you walk by it. Plus, all of that Lisa Frank memorabilia sitting in your closet back home can finally be put to good use. Sea punk is chic.Azealia Banks dropped her new video for her track “Atlantis” as well, and the sea punksters lost it. Recently, a gritty, ’90s clip art backdrop played behind Rihanna’s “Saturday Night Live” performance. An Internet feud started among the up-and-coming rapper, the mainstream songstress and the sea punk movement’s leaders about potential copyright infringement and originality.Art should be shared and human achievements in technology and culture are meant to be steps in a process of innovation instead of final destinations. No one ever gets mad at ice cream for making dairy products better. It’s just part of progress.Graffiti artist Banksy has an entire documentary about how great artists steal inspiration and make it their own. In the same way, you can’t just call “dibs” on culture. Or an Internet aesthetic meant to be shared in real life. Consider Azealia Banks’ career. She’s bringing sea punk, which has been underground for the past year, into the light. This means progress. Once sea punk is mainstream and Grimes is playing on the radio between Rihanna and Britney Spears, either a new counter-culture will arise or sea punks will fall victims to mass media. No one wants to be that hipster still listening to Mumford & Sons, watching Lena Dunham videos and wearing grungy plaid to ironic house parties. Oh, wait.— mwalschl@indiana.edu
(11/09/12 2:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Nothing says “Happy Holidays” like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.Taping for the annual show began Thursday night in preparation for its televised December premiere. With performances by Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Bruno Mars, this show has the potential to be quite the extravaganza. Reactions to top model Karlie Kloss’ new bob and a rumor about the use of real snake eyes in some elaborate ensembles caused a mini media frenzy.The fashion giant confirmed they would use fake snake eyes, to the pleasure of anxious viewers everywhere.Where would one even buy real snake eyes?In the most overlooked story this season, the staff at Victoria’s Secret may have saved the U.S. National Guard in their post-Hurricane Sandy hullaballoo.Fashion is often regarded as a cold industry, but Victoria’s Secret proved they are truly angelic. Victoria’s Secret lent the National Guard five massive generators brought in for the fashion show to make sure the National Guard building was operational again. The lingerie company worked through the night to make sure the National Guard was connected to the Internet and functioning well enough to supply aid to those in need. Plus, Victoria’s Secret used the giant venue for presenting their famed fashion show to set up camp for U.S. Army and Air Force hurricane relief just days before filming.It seems their models wear those wings for a reason. In other news, the European Union created a buzz with talk of banning production of the perfume Chanel No. 5. The iconic eau de parfum uses tree moss to achieve its timeless scent. Policy makers are concerned about the 1-3 percent of the population that could be allergic to such natural ingredients.Now, I’m not a doctor, but I’m pretty sure using citrus zest or natural mosses to create a perfume is healthier and more environmentally friendly than using some lab-created chemical no one can pronounce. Some people have peanut allergies, so why can’t they ban the production of those weird flavored Reese’s chapsticks? My favorite fashion highlight this week comes all the way from New York’s SoHo neighborhood. People passing by the Alexander Wang sample sale confused the long line for voting lines. In the fashionistas’ defense, buying on-sale clothing from an American designer is almost as patriotic as voting. OK, so not really, but I’m sure they snagged some incredible pieces for incredible prices.For that, they should be commended. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(11/02/12 2:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This week has been a nightmare for public relations practitioners everywhere in the fashion industry. Between legal issues and public backlash, these poor PR representatives have barely had time to dump the water out of their Tori Burch flats. First, the U.S. Department of Labor served a big fat subpoena to Forever 21. The department claims the mass retailer has been employing child workers in “sweatshop-like conditions,” according to a Department of Labor press release.It’s almost as obvious as the time Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband, Kris Humphries, subpoenaed Kanye West for a fraudulent wedding. Just like everyone knew the marriage was destined to fail, everyone should have known there is no humane way to make a $5 pair of jeans. Personally, I love the idea of a subpoena because it doesn’t really do anything except publicly throw shame and call people out. It’s like a retweet with an official seal.But how does the commercial giant cover up these ghastly claims? Forever 21 officials merely stated they thought it was rude of the Department of Labor to contact them privately, avant-subpeona. Apparently when you clothe high school fashionistas everywhere, investigations of hostile working conditions can’t compare to high profit margins. American Apparel also ruffled some feathers this week. Right before Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, the “Made in the USA” company sent out an email promising 20 percent off merchandise on the entire website to the Atlantic waterfront states. The company received negative tweets for its insensitivity. American Apparel retorted, saying it is expensive to run a store stocked with domestically manufactured products. It also hypothesized flooding would shut down most of its stores and limit its East Coast profits during storm cleanup.It was right. “Women’s Wear Daily” said retailers across the eastern states are losing about $400 million each day they remain closed. Barneys New York’s flagship store is one of the only stores that has remained open, as most New York City locations are dealing with flooded showrooms and water-damaged inventory.The trade journal also announced Drew Barrymore, spokeswoman for COVERGIRL, is in the process of creating a make-up line for Wal-Mart. COVERGIRL hasn’t released any statements regarding their support or full-throttled fury yet, but it is surely forthcoming as Barrymore’s contract expires in January.However, things are looking up. Only two weeks remain until H&M’s collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela hits stores.After the très chic launch party they threw last week, there will be absolutely nothing powerful enough to ruin fashion in November. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(10/25/12 2:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Last week, I looked at why the fashion world snubs Ann Romney and her blasé wardrobe choices. Thankfully, her Boston-based stylist Alfred Fiandaca cleared it up for us by saying Romney is “too feminine for high fashion.”As if declaring your entire clientele base incapable of fashion wasn’t enough of a faux pas, Fiandaca merely echoes the cries of an oppressive media.For example, let’s flashback to 2008. Two women, then-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and current U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, received repeated media attention for their appearances.An article about Palin’s polka-dotted pedicure sticks out as one of the most frivolous articles of the campaign. While the media shaped Palin into a ditzy Alaskan who was only a prettier version of the talking heads in Washington, the alternative option wasn’t any more attractive.The media’s view of Clinton was the opposite.She was constantly critiqued for looking decades older than her actual age and was formed into an ugly, crude woman because she did not fit the superficial standard of beauty. The common denominator for the press’s critiques of these powerful women was their appearance. Once in a blue moon, a magazine runs a story on how gray the president’s hair is getting, but even then the focus is on how stressful it is to be commander-in-chief. Never has anyone suggested the president has really let himself go because he has an out-of-place gray hair.Why? Because that is asinine. So, why should women be subjected to aesthetic critiques?There are two major problems with this sort of coverage.First, it creates unequal types of attention. When was the last time there was a fashion editorial on men in politics? Granted, male politicians tend to don the same suits and striped ties year after year.Second, it makes women seem like shallow beings who only care about material things. Acclaimed Vogue Editor Anna Wintour said women of power just can’t win. In an interview with Japanese Vogue, Wintour explained the problem.“Just because you’re in a position of power, and you look good, and you enjoy fashion — does that mean you’re an idiot, or that it’s not seemly to be in a woman’s magazine?” she said. “If a man is in GQ, they don’t get the same kind of criticism.”Amen.
(10/19/12 3:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fashion critics went wild after this week’s presidential debate.President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney pulled the ol’ tie switcheroo — Obama wore a red tie and Romney wore a nice, liberal blue.Any symbolic value was lost by the end of the debate, though, as civility was thrown out the window and Romney failed to substantiate his campaign promises.However, Michelle Obama and Ann Romney donned the same shade of electric pink at the debate and generated much discussion. It is assumed the ladies wore it in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as Ann Romney has openly discussed her breast cancer diagnosis.President Obama himself had a pink bracelet underneath his jacket. But this wasn’t the first time Michelle Obama’s style stole the spotlight.Time and time again, critics praise her fashion choices.Why doesn’t Ann Romney have binders full of women offering the same praise? When Michelle Obama showed up in a Tracy Reese gown at the Democratic National Convention, the designer said the sight “moved her to tears.”American designers yearn to be worn by the first lady and often sell out the specific style the first lady chooses.Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief and commander-in-chief of the fashion world, has always been a vocal supporter of President Obama.She has thrown numerous fund raising dinners and missed huge shows during Paris Fashion Week to support him. Diane Von Furstenburg was less than pleased when the Republican nominee’s wife wore a dress by her label to a Republican rally in Florida. The iconic DVF refused to release any statement other than “We’re actually not quite sure how Ann obtained the dress.”Ouch. In Ann Romney’s defense, her go-to Boston-based designer Alfred Fiandaca explained in an interview that her husband often picks out her clothes for public events. Fiandaca also said that Ann is “too feminine for high fashion.” Perhaps the Romneys are the symbolic antithesis of the fashion community. With women’s health issues and legal same-sex marriage on the line, a large percentage of the fashion community is ostracized. Ann is not the strong, modern career woman that Michelle Obama represents or the fashion world promotes.Plus, in the most heartwarming photo-op of the year, Beyonce revealed her support for the president. And whatever Queen B says, goes.— mwalschl@indiana.edu
(10/15/12 2:12am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ah, pledgeship. My favorite time of year.Not only do herds of freshmen in suits remind us fall is in full swing, but the greek season significantly reduces the number of light-washed jeans and flip-flop ensembles to distract me during class. Much like a caterpillar going through metamorphosis, by the end of pledgeship our little men will have transformed completely into the full-blown fraternity boy known so well today. With enough Vineyard Vines and Ralph Lauren to clothe a small country, it is truly a North Jordan Avenue miracle. They swarm Dunn Meadow in September in pursuit of brotherhood, still wearing sweatshirts from their high school senior football seasons. From that point forward, the freshmen enter their tailored cocoons.One by one they gain their wings — or, at least, their bids get signed. The chrysalis is the most interesting part of the transformation. It forces these young men to look at their lives and their choices. They wake up every morning asking, “Can I wear my brown leather shoes or my black leather with this blue suit?” Or, “Does this shade of orange tie compliment the green in my eyes?”If I could speak to these inner monologues, I would let the little pledge know that I could tolerate the tailored-suit-with-Sperrys look. It’s not ideal, but I can compromise. As long as he continues to avoid the long-sleeved shirt and basketball jersey combo hidden in the back of his closet.The masses of men in suits also give outsiders the illusion we all attend a televised, elite prep school with a show choir featuring Darren Criss. Show off to your out-of-town friends and say, “Look! We all take school and fashion very seriously here.” That is, until you get pushed to the ground by a pledge on a Razor scooter, and your illusion is shattered.In just a few short months, the scooter bandit will emerge with his brothers, looking like they belong in a J. Crew magazine spread. If you’ve never seen these strange creatures come out of hiding, head to Herman B Wells Library on a weekday evening.Good luck avoiding the frat bros.— mwalschl@indiana.edu
(10/05/12 2:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>New York. London. Milan. Paris. Each city adds flair to its own fashion week.But if there was any question whether France was still the fashion capital of the world, there is no longer room for debate. During the spring/summer 2013 Paris Fashion Week, new and old brands alike did not disappoint.Three of fashion’s top powerhouses were nothing short of astounding.Not to mention the show was in the Grand Palais. How glam.First, take a look at the iconic brand that is Chanel. The crème de la crème, Karl Lagerfeld, creates more elaborate sets for Chanel with each passing year. This year, Lagerfeld created all-white, sky-scraping wind turbines the models had to weave through. As if the giant, hula hoop-sized, signature Chanel bag wasn’t enough to impact viewers, the voluminous looks Lagerfeld pulled together were nothing short of covetous. The collection characterized all of the classic Chanel tweed and quilted patterns while still suggesting a new creative twist.Though, I am still terribly bitter about Hedi Slimane changing Yves Saint Laurent’s name to Saint Laurent Paris and moving his design studio to Los Angeles.I will still give him credit for the dark, sweeping capes and low-brimmed hats that graced the runways. Other than that, it was incredibly blasé. Variation after variation of dark ensembles reflected an obvious Los Angeles influence. The collection was exciting only because it was different than anything that had ever come from YSL.But why would he alter the title of the almighty Yves Saint Laurent? It still makes my teeth gnash and blood boil. Thankfully, just the sight of Pierre Bergé — the partner of the great, late Yves Saint Laurent himself — attending the show after all these years is enough to reduce me to tears. On another note, after Marc Jacobs received mass amounts of praise at New York Fashion Week for his innovative signature line, he was able to switch gears again for Louis Vuitton this week.He played with checkerboard prints in a variety of gradients and textures. Micro-mini to full-length maxi dresses dominated the majority of the collection and offered a fresh blast from the past.The 1960s-inspired Louis Vuitton finale was awe-inspiring, to say the least.Paired models descended upon the stage on rows of escalators. The entire audience gasped at the sight of the beautiful models approaching. The avant-garde runway shows displayed that something big is happening in Paris. Let’s hope it spreads to the States.— mwalschl@indiana.edu
(10/01/12 3:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Lana Del Rey may be the most underrated player in the game.In the last few weeks, advertisement campaigns by the songstress have been released.It’s exciting to see her forgotten Hollywood glamour used to promote products. Nicknamed the “gangster Nancy Sinatra,” Del Rey’s cover of “Blue Velvet” for H&M was hypnotizing, to say the least. Her ad campaign for Jaguar automobiles is truly opulent. Luxury brand Mulberry even released a bag named after Del Rey at the end of 2011 that was reminiscent of her timeless American style. Although there is speculation that the seductive songstress is the latest puppet of the Illuminati, her music and modern take on bygone eras is still very impressive.She infuses vintage styles with modern day trends with ease. Her bravura is a compilation of urban creations on the sultry grace of 1960s sex symbols. Her Bardot-esque beehive is enough to make anyone jealous of her beautiful, auburn extensions. Although she says she’s never had lip injections, her plump pout alone is enough to entice album sales.People are up in arms about the songstress’ makeover a few years ago. She ditched her birth name and short blonde hairdo in favor of an expensive weave and go-go boots.If it worked, I don’t understand the problem. Reinventing yourself is not a crime. If an image is reinvented to sell music, the music better be worth it. While Del Rey hasn’t received great reviews for her live performances, I am content to listen to countless remixes of her remastered tracks. I love her work because it embodies her physical self. With one glance at the songstress, it’s easy to know what her music will sound like and the way her voice will whisper. Even if it is an illusion, it is one I don’t mind living with. Her style isn’t overwhelming like that of Nicki Minaj, and it’s not as painfully childish as Katy Perry’s. Her lyrics are both poetic and melodic, like catchy adult lullabies that don’t blatantly whine about divorce. The absolute best part about this seductive artist is that she doesn’t care how she measures up to other artists or fashionistas. Whenever fashion is brought up in interviews, she coyly responds, “I don’t really care about fashion. I wear what I want.”Although her interview with Vogue Australia about leaving the music industry to contribute to film leaves me teary-eyed, I admire a songstress who knows when to quit. Del Rey said she has said everything she needed to say on her last album, so she is open to pursuing her dream career in film. If she really is just the byproduct of a great public relations team and beauty squad, they sure are doing it right.— mwalschl@indiana.edu
(09/21/12 1:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As the hype surrounding Fashion Week comes to an end, it appears that nothing new came off the runways. Shows were described as “reminiscent of a bygone era” or “focused on heavy influences” from previous years.But what about now? What are the original styles and innovations of the present? Where is our unique aesthetic?Every decade had fashions representative of the era. The 1920s saw hemlines rise above the knee with the popularity of the flapper and a cultural debate on women’s rights. Nothing new happened with fashion in the ’30s because of the Great Depression.The ’40s were all about a narrow silhouette, as the United States government imposed fabric rations during World War II.With the end of the war, the ’50s saw full skirts and longer dresses. Uncle Sam decreed a time of excess. The ’60s were a counter-culture reaction to the strict social policies of the previous era. Women wore jeans and pantsuits to highlight their social dissonance.The ’70s faced the end of the questionable Vietnam War and declarations for peace. Everything was covered in peace signs and love beads to promote well-being.Women embraced their careers and asserted power in the workplace in the ’80s. Shoulder pads allowed women to not only make a bold entrance into corporate America, but also to imitate their broad-shouldered coworkers.The 1990s are often remembered as a time of “heroin chic.” Kate Moss made it cool to look like you haven’t showered for days after crawling out of an opium den. But it was really much more than that. Celebrities in the ’90s rejected societal norms and promoted individual desires. There was no common thread.If that meant you wanted to wear Union Jack-printed mini dresses or dress like a vampire, then you go, girl! The decade promoted individual expression. The first decade of the 2000s was a rejection of this rebellion without a cause. Women’s fashion saw a return to an innocent, flirty style.More importantly, our current decade marks a time when designers and fashionistas began stealing ideas from history books. What is our aesthetic now? Is this the age of instant fashion? People are no longer drooling by their mailboxes for weeks, waiting for a Fashion Week review in a magazine. All they have to do is check Twitter, Facebook or their favorite blog to instantly view current collections.The rise of the blogger has allowed every jewelry-making mother of two a chance to feel a part of the culture. The digital revolution has given everyone a voice, but I’m afraid the clamor is too loud. There are only so many street-style blogs one can look through.I propose the next 10 years will be defined by talking about fashion, being a part of the culture and sharing personal inspiration from fashions of the past.The rise of technology is making the lead designers and innovators lazy with their projects and crazy with their Twitters. For those of us craving something new, lets keep our fingers crossed that the next decade produces something a little more innovative than high-waisted skirts. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(09/14/12 1:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There is an epidemic of students on campus who seek validation from the inflated price tags at Urban Outfitters.They buy and take pride in super hip T-shirts with 15 of their best friends. Unfortunately, this virus has negative effects on the outside world.It makes people think they need to waste mass amounts of money to compete with the rest of the herd. I’m happy to tell you this isn’t the case. Last month, I attended Fashion’s Night Out in Chicago with my best friend. We were applauded for our looks. Fashion magazine editors, store owners and passersby praised us. We even appeared on multiple fashion blogs the next morning.My style secret? I had spent next to nothing to prepare my look for the evening. Approximately two hours before the event, we went into a thrift store on a whim. I walked out with a $3 white nightgown that I decided to wear as a dress. I also donned a tikka, an Indian wedding headpiece, that another friend had brought back from her travels to India. Yet all night I was surrounded by people dressed in money, and no one questioned my presence. Maybe people think looking pleasant has to do with how much money is invested in their wardrobe.So often people wear cheaply made items from expensive brands simply because of the label. That’s not stylish. That’s falling victim to effective branding methods. You can be “in fashion” and still be blissfully bland. It takes style to set you apart.Style isn’t about having money. It’s about understanding how different pieces relate to one another and creating a look that exudes what you want. Even if you decide you’re not going to try, that’s still sending out a message about yourself.I will never understand intelligent people who aren’t well-dressed. Saying you don’t care what people think of you is not validation to wear your Senior Class of ’09 sweatshirt all week. When you get dressed in the morning, it’s about becoming the person you want to be. Consider Miss Piggy. Some people see her as the well-dressed, witty Muppet. Others think she’s just your average pig. But that doesn’t stop her from wearing evening gowns, and it shouldn’t stop you, either. I could not tell you who designed the dress I wore. All I knew was that it promoted the look I wanted to achieve. It was something different and did not look mass-produced. You have to remember that in the end, clothes are still just clothes. They are meant to capture the essence of you in a snapshot.Make sure the picture is worth remembering. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(09/07/12 2:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>One of the most important things a first lady can have is style. Not only is she in the American public eye regularly, her image is broadcast throughout the world and represents the United States.Consider former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The beloved Jackie O was a connoisseur of international relations. If the Kennedys visited Paris, Jackie wore Givenchy. No matter where she went, she was dressed in an applicable manner. Her attention to style aided JFK’s administration as it reinforced the youthful changes that took place in the Oval Office. Her style radiated a persona that was relatable, admirable and widely replicated.Fast forward to present day. I’m still surprised I haven’t seen a coffee table book recording Michelle Obama’s every look.The current first lady’s fashion is glamorous, modern and approachable. Not once has she stepped in front of the cameras in the traditional, boxy, monotone suit of first ladies past, and for that she should be commended. President Barack Obama promised changes, and the first lady echoed his cries. She is the first wife in office to exercise her right to “bare” arms regularly, showing off her toned limbs in her sleeveless frocks.It reflects well on this country when the president’s wife can stay culturally aware enough to choose a jacket that wasn’t designed in the 1980s. In both cases, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Michelle Obama are style ambassadors for the American public. When a woman has style, it is seen in everything she does. Michelle Obama’s effortless style was seen in the way she presented herself at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night. She wooed the crowds with her poise and dedication. Each sentence was a tribute to her family’s character and not a stab at another candidate. Everything she said could stand alone.Even 14-year-old Malia Obama has a sophisticated presence. Granted, I’m impressed by any middle schooler who isn’t covered in Hollister logos. But Malia has a grace about her that can only be a product of her mother’s influence.Some people gawk at the high-end choices Michelle Obama dons for presidential events, claiming she doesn’t understand their solemn nature. If I had arms as toned as Michelle Obama, I would wear sleeveless gowns regularly, too. The game of politics cannot be conducted without total confidence, and the current first lady shows that she is a force to be reckoned with.Think about Queen Elizabeth II. No one has ever seen her in a discount sweat suit, and I’m sure the rest of the world would wonder what was happening in England if she did. Bottom line — a leading lady shouldn’t look dumpy, and Michelle Obama is doing it right. She represents our entire country in a way that American women should find inspirational.Even if supporting emerging American designers isn’t your cup of tea, you could always find solace in her formidable arm workout. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(08/30/12 4:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Today, it seems every celebrity wants to dabble in fashion. What sets Hollywood heroes apart from young, emerging designers who spent four years draining their parents’ savings to earn an education at a world-renowned art school?If the only required qualification is a Vogue subscription, watch out, Hoosiers — a Walschlagerfeld label is just around the corner. Maybe the paparazzi make celebrities’ heads too big. All the flashing pictures must give starlets the idea that what they’re wearing is worth noticing.In reality, the rest of the world wants to see how much of that cheeseburger Heidi Montag can jam in her mouth without wearing any makeup. Remember her risqué juniors’ line for J.C. Penney Co. a few years ago that folded just months after opening?But Montag’s not alone in thinking she is capable of fashion design, nor is she my favorite fashion disaster. Jon Gosselin of “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” infamy attempted to create a line of kids’ clothing with Christian Audigier, the designer behind Ed Hardy, after his life fell apart on national television. Whether or not you believe in karma and good vibes, no one in their right mind will buy baby clothes or take fashion inspiration from that man.Madonna has an ill-fitting, cheaply made line at Macy’s for teen girls. Daisy Fuentez, the expired co-host from “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” is selling a dated women’s line at Kohl’s. James Hetfield, lead vocalist and co-founder of Metallica, even has a sunglasses line in the works. When will it end? More than likely when each celebrity loses his or her 15 minutes of fame.The power celebrity names contain is the only reason these attempts at fashion design break even. Buyers think if Paris Hilton’s face is on it, the product must be good. Realistically, celebrity lines are made of some of the cheapest fabrics and have very little thought behind their creation aside from a whiney, “I want a fashion line, too!”Considering most celebrities have stylists dress them, buyers should stop being pawns in a clever game of brand power and look to people who know what they’re doing. Think about it. You have to have a license to practice medicine but no experience cutting hair. Just because you can successfully complete a heart transplant, that doesn’t mean you can apply blond highlights that aren’t streaky. An expert in one field doesn’t get to carry the title to another. In the same way, actors, musicians and television hosts are not designers. The Row, created by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, is one of a few respectable fashion lines that successfully earned its position among top-tier designers. The Olsen twins combine their dedication to preserving New York’s garment district, and everything except for their handbags is made in the good old United States. Their focus is on product.Leave it to the mystic Olsens to create a reputable fashion line before dinner time.
(08/24/12 3:51am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>One of the most unintentionally humorous endeavors on campus is watching mademoiselles teeter from place to place in their high heels.Last winter, I watched a girl take her heels off and walk barefoot in the snow. This Bear Grylls impersonator had developed blisters from balancing her stilettos on ice and sought barefoot relief. The only things she gained were sideways glances and, I would assume, frostbite.The determination is admirable, but practicing should be done behind closed doors. Learning to walk in heels is like training for a marathon. No one would suggest running 26.2 miles to a beginner, so why should a student walk from Third Street to Memorial Stadium without any practice? There’s a strong correlation between ladies who stumble around in heels also hanging a misquoted Marilyn Monroe poster in their living rooms. If you really want to live every day like a starlet, try mastering the art of illusion. Start by wearing heels while walking around your house for short periods and build up. At first, wear heels to put your laundry away or fix your hair in the morning. When you have mastered that, move on to bigger tasks. The final steps should be semi-public exposures such as raking a yard or picking things up at the convenience store. The added pressure of the public eye will be good for refining your walk.Furthermore, remember to work your upper body. The most awkward part of a beginner’s jaunt is a stiff torso. Walk toward a mirror barefoot, then do it in your heels, focusing on only your upper body. If you notice a change and think you look stupid, there is a 100 percent chance everyone else does, too.No one wants to be the girl who walked home barefoot and stepped on glass. Whether you have a class presentation across campus or an invitation to your bestie’s birthday bash, a first-aid emergency is never in style. If you care enough about your image to wear heels in the first place, stepping on nastiness destroys all the work you did earlier. Consider the marathoner again. Someone who drops out after mile 10 impresses no one. Sure, he ran 10 miles, but is he a winner? No.Neither are you if you walk home with your heels slung over your shoulder. — mwalschl@indiana.edu
(08/17/12 4:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After spending the summer in Chicago interning for Veronica Sheaffer, a wedding dress designer, it appears that I have taken people who appreciate fashion and creativity for granted. At Sheaffer’s, fashion is used as a means of self-expression. Back on campus, fashion is used for group identity. If one wanted to disguise him or herself as an IU student, he or she could either wear head-to-toe Vineyard Vines or an ensemble that resembles what Panic! At the Disco wore to last year’s Teen Choice Awards. Style is hard to see in Bloomington, and fashionable items are even harder to find.College Mall has limited mainstream options and includes a Macy’s that caters to the career woman who still wears sweater sets and comfort heels. The vintage scene, complete with those ill-fitting floral ensembles, fake glasses and Peter Pan boots, is just so expired. Those who want to create an image outside of the norm must dig deep within themselves and the 7000 pages of online shopping to achieve their desired look.Also, temperature is no longer an excuse for dressing poorly. Summer weather often reaches temperatures that make one’s own skin feel as if it’s made of wool, so experimenting with new ideas is often out of the question. However, now that it’s breezy in Bloomington, I have seen far too many vanilla outfits this year that look like the cover of a fifth-grade health book. It is time for that to end. Fashion is created and inspired by culture. If someone wanted to achieve a new look, he or she should take Avicii’s latest album off repeat and mix in songs with lyrics. Just because you like something doesn’t mean you have to use it all day, every day. That’s why you can’t eat ice cream for every meal. You’ll gain the freshman 15 and develop a chronic brain freeze at once. This is a call to action, Hoosiers. There is no time like the present to make yourself into that style icon you know you are, deep down under all that Patagonia fleece.
(04/26/12 2:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After 16 years of serenading IU’s campus as Straight No Chaser, the beloved on-campus singing group is changing its name to Another Round, beginning Saturday.“It was originally chosen because the group is a capella with no instruments behind the voices,” said Tyler Trepp, a member of the traveling Atlantic Records’ Straight No Chaser group. “Of course, we were also in college at the time, so that had something to do with the name choice as well.”The original name came from an old jazz tune that the group sang back in 1996, Trepp said. Senior TJ Breen, an arts management major, is the music director for the IU Straight No Chaser. With two groups sharing one name, Breen said trying to make both groups work under Straight No Chaser has been difficult. “The Atlantic Records Straight No Chaser is one of the top touring groups in the country, and then we are one of the best undergraduate groups in the country, so both of us are doing a lot of shows,” Breen said. “It just became evident that it was too hard to clarify the difference between the two groups, and that became a big problem for us.” After the original members graduated from IU in 1999, they made the decision to keep an IU a capella group by having try-outs every fall and spring to recruit new members. “Not a lot of other singing groups have another core, legacy group to mentor the singers and be there for whatever they need,” Trepp said.Every member of the Atlantic Records touring group was once a member of the undergraduate group at IU. It comprises five members from the original group and five members who participated from 2005 to 2007. In an average year, they travel around the country performing more than 150 shows. “We all had jobs before the YouTube video brought us back together, but now we sing together full time,” Trepp said.When a video of the original members singing “12 Days of Christmas” went viral on YouTube in 2008, Atlantic Records contacted the group and offered them a five-album contract.“We all had jobs before the YouTube video brought us back together, but now we sing together full time,” Trepp said.With the older members newly resurrected, the undergraduate group at IU was still going strong, working under the same name.After Saturday, however, IU’s undergraduate Straight No Chaser will be renamed Another Round . The name comes from an album that was produced in the early years of the undergraduate group.“Because we’re changing our name, it’s still really important to all of us to maintain the legacy,” Breen said. “Just because the name changes and the numbers shift, every member of their group will still carry the traditions.” Breen said the name change is to help distinguish the groups, not separate them in any way.“It’s really important for us to have the legacy group because with new members cycling through, the undergraduate group will have a constant support base that always knows who is coming in,” Breen said. “The legacy group is going to be here to coach the younger guys, teach them how things are supposed to go, and show what this group’s about.”Freshman Jonny Trubshaw is an informatics major and current undergraduate Straight No Chaser member. He said joining the group has been the best decision he has made at IU so far. “I was walking to class one day and saw chalk on the sidewalk advertising the auditions. I had sang throughout high school and thought I would give it a shot,” Trubshaw said.He said all of the members support the name change, although there was a little apprehension at first. “At the beginning, when we were still discussing it, there was a little hesitation because the name is a big part of the group’s identity,” Trubshaw said. “But the more we thought about it, we realized that it’s a really good opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the touring group and remove the confusion.”The name change will also help ease some of the restrictions the undergraduate group faces. Trubshaw said they couldn’t sell their music on iTunes and sometimes would have trouble signing up for musical competitions.“This Saturday is essentially the last concert for IU’s Straight No Chaser, and the first concert for Another Round,” Breen said. “It’s an exciting new beginning.”
(04/19/12 4:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>"Feistodon" 7"Mastodon and FeistWhen Atlanta prog-metal crew Mastodon and Canadian singer-songwriter Leslie Feist played on the same episode of “Later ... with Jools Holland” in October, the mutually admiring parties discussed in passing the possibility of covering one another for a split. Six months later, it’s a reality; Feist will cover Mastodon’s “Black Tongue” and Mastodon will cover Feist’s “A Commotion” for a Record Store Day-exclusive 7”. It’s currently unknown whether Mastodon wore sundresses or Feist grew a beard during the recording sessions. — Brad Sanders"The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends" double 12"The Flaming LipsThe Flaming Lips have produced a double-vinyl album, “The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends,” that is loaded with outlandish surprises for their fans in honor of Record Store Day. The record features collaborations with Bon Iver, Ke$ha, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Erykah Badu, Neon Indian, Yoko Ono, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Biz Markie, among others. As if this enticing list of featured artists wasn’t enough to reel listeners in, the Flaming Lips have decided to release a few special records with an embedded vial of the collaborators’ blood in the center. In an interview with MTV, eccentric Lips frontman Wayne Coyne said he expects the individually made bloody records to be snatched up by the extremely dedicated and extremely wealthy sector of the group's fan base. — Megan Walschlager"Transverse Temporal Gyrus" 12"Animal CollectiveAnimal Collective hasn’t released a proper full-length record since 2009. In the meantime, the band has instead opted to tour the world, record EPs and singles, make a visual album called “Oddsac” and create a special exhibit at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum in New York City. That last project, called “Transverse Temporal Gyrus,” is an experimental collaboration with “Oddsac” director Danny Perez. It features contributions from each band member randomly channeled throughout the museum’s performance space, and it’s now being released as a limited 12” vinyl that collects the individual tracks, in addition to live recordings of the piece. “Transverse Temporal Gyrus” should feature the band at its most bewitched with heavy doses of choppy samples and pitch-shifted incantations. Brace yourself. — Patrick Beane“A.D.D. Complete” 7” Chuck PersonsLast year, sample mastermind Daniel Lopatin, better known as Oneohtrix Point Never, released the sonic gem “Replica” to critical acclaim. Before that, however, Lopatin recorded underground cassettes that reworked FM radio hits into deliriously noisy and catchy loops, which he dubbed “eccojams,” under the pseudonym Chuck Persons. Lopatin is bringing that alter ego back with his upcoming 7” vinyl release, “A.D.D. Complete,” which compiles new “eccojams,” along with samples used to make “Replica.” Unfortunately, the release is limited to 120 hand-numbered copies, only available in-store at Piccadilly Records in Manchester, England. At least you can soon look forward to copping a guilt-free vinyl rip. — Patrick Beane“One Drop” 12” Public Image Ltd.It’s been 20 years since former Sex Pistols provocateur John Lydon churned out any new material with his seminal post-punk outfit Public Image Ltd., but that will change this Saturday with the release of the “One Drop” EP. Lydon calls the title track a “reflection of where I grew up in Finsbury Park, London. The area that shaped me and influenced me culturally and musically, a place I will forever feel connected to.” — Brad Sanders“Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions” box set Billy Bragg and WilcoIn the spring of 1992, Woody Guthrie’s daughter, Nora, contacted English folk-punk musician Billy Bragg about putting music to thousands of sets of lyrics that filled her father’s notebooks before his death in 1967. Bragg subsequently reached out to then-up-and-coming alt-country group Wilco, and they collaborated on two critically acclaimed compilations, “Mermaid Avenue” volumes 1 and 2, that came out in 1998 and 2000. Appropriately, these sessions spawned many unfinalized tracks of their own, as well as a limited-release documentary film, “Man in the Sand.” More than a decade later, all the aforementioned material is coming out in one big package that will also include a 48-page book of photographs and reproductions of Guthrie’s lyric sheets and sketches. — Steven Arroyo“Do Ya Thang” 10” Gorillaz, André 3000 and James MurphyConverse’s “Three Artists, One Song” series has produced a handful of curious collaborations in the past two years, but none more so than its most recent edition, which put Outkast’s André 3000, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur in a studio together. An abridged version of “Do Ya Thang” was released as a free download on Feb. 23, but the original ran more than 13 minutes, and it will see the light of day Saturday. “André just goes off,” Albarn said of the full version in a recent interview with Pitchfork. “And what he’s saying just gets more and more ridiculous. It finished on its own will, we really had nothing to do with it.” — Steven Arroyo
(04/17/12 3:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>"Afro Thunda" and "Man Crush" are two short films from April’s Campus MovieFest that have big futures. In addition to IU films “Freaks” and “All We’ve Built,” both mentioned in a previous IDS article, the films will be shown at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. “Afro Thunda” was co-produced by telecommunications majors senior Matt Dowley and junior Kate Diamond. Senior Duncan McCabe, a communication and culture major, directed the film. “Afro Thunda” won the Audience Choice Award, Best Cinematography and Best Actress this year. “I knew that our piece was shot very well,” Diamond said. “We have a really great group of talented people working on it. So, I knew that because of the talent that was put into it, and with the edgy material, we would get noticed. But in no way did I expect it would make it this far.”Senior Charlie Myers, a communications and culture major, directed the film “Man Crush,” which won Best Actor, Best Story and Best Picture at CMF. Meyers said “Man Crush” puts a unique spin on the story about a guy who gets put in the friend zone and is unable to articulate his feelings. “The most important thing for us was to make something about a guy with misplaced feelings,” Myers said. “It’s not necessarily homosexual, but it’s just a guy who has a confusion of feelings for his best friend who just happens to be male.” Meyers has won Best Comedy at CMF for the past three years, but he said finding out his film had done so well this year was exciting. “Our policy was script doesn’t really matter,” he said. “It’s more of what works best in the scene. You just cast a couple of awesome guys and see what they can do together.”Both films were selected by national CMF judges to be screened at Cannes Film Festival in France this year.“My first reaction was ‘I finally have a solid excuse to go to Cannes,’” Myers said. “I had always wanted to go. It’s the biggest film festival in the world, and now my film is going to be played there.”Because “Man Crush” won Best Picture, the film is automatically sent to CMF Hollywood, a weekend film festival in Hollywood that screens films from universities across the nation.Dowley said his “Afro Thunda” team is trying to win the Wild Card Film slot of CMF Hollywood, and he encourages everyone to view his film on either the CMF website or YouTube. To be selected as the Wild Card Film, a film must have the highest number of online views in 30 days. “It’s kind of a ‘create your own destiny’ approach,” he said. Diamond said she will be proud of the film no matter the outcome.“Ultimately, I’m completely honored that something I worked on is traveling outside the United States,” Diamond said. “I was completely blown away. I double checked with everyone to make sure that this was real.”Diamond said she hopes the “Afro Thunda” team will be able to make it to CMF Hollywood because she believes it would be an excellent networking trip. “I’m excited to show people that we can produce this great level of work on a student budget,” Diamond said. “I feel like the ultimate long-term goal is to meet new people, to work with new people and to produce quality films that way.”
(04/16/12 12:56am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As a crowd entered the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center on Friday evening, they were greeted by the sight of a chair suspended over the stage of a smoke-filled, swanky club. The scene was set for IU Department of Theatre and Drama’s last performance of the 2011-12 season, “Cabaret.” The opening night sold out.“Cabaret” is set in war-torn Germany in the 1930s and focuses on the relationship between American writer, Clifford Bradshaw, and English singer, Sally Bowles.Freshman theater major Frankie Levenson-Campanale attended the sold-out performance and said she was impressed with the production.“I love this show, and I am so proud of the way this one is being put on,” Levenson-Campanale said. “I have seen a high-school interpretation of ‘Cabaret’ and an off-Broadway production in New York, and this is definitely the best show I’ve seen.”She said she was dazzled by the quality of the set and costumes used in the show. “I think people will be really drawn to both the flashy costumes and all of the great dancing,” Levenson-Campanale said. “Not to mention, they get to look at Evan Mayer’s face all the time.”Junior Evan Mayer played the role of Emcee, a member of the cabaret, for the Friday evening performance. Mayor’s character narrated the dark love story between Bowles, played by sophomore Hannah Slabaugh, and Bradshaw, played by Kurt Semmler. Levenson-Campanale said she wanted to attend the performance because she loves “Cabaret” and is always interested to see what IU’s Musical Theatre Department is doing.“It’s nice to know we have a good singing, dancing, acting, all-around total package program here,” Levenson-Campanale said.Freshman Haley Conger worked as an usher for the Friday night performance and agreed the production value of the company was very high. “This musical is really different from a lot of the others I’ve seen here,” Conger said. “It’s a different style of music, not to mention the choreography for this show is amazing.”Conger said that she had never seen a production of “Cabaret” before but was pleasantly surprised and enticed by the plot of the show.“It’s a really fun show. It’s funny, but it has some serious bits,” Conger said. “I really enjoy the story behind the English dancer and American writer. It’s been fun to see how that plays out. I think it really has something for everyone.”Sophomore Elizabeth Stilwell also attended the show and said she was blown away by the production’s quality. There’s still time to see the show2 and 7:30 p.m. April 21Ruth N. Halls Theatre in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama CenterTickets cost $25 for general admission, $15 for students and $20 for senior citizens.